A SPECTER AND A SCEPTER

By Theresa Fadul

"A Spector and a Scepter" is the sixth book in the "Chuck Chuck Chicky and Chums Travel and Adventure Series", a rhyming series for kids. This is a story about travel and adventure, but especially adventure and antics in some of the iconic buildings in London, England - the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. Here our four chums meet Beefeaters and Palace Guards at the Tower of London, and see some raven who live at the Tower. They also see the Crown Jewels which have been protected at the Tower since the 1600's. Next the chums venture to Westminster Abbey, which is a magnificent church first opened in 1269. This is where many British monarchs were coronated and where many monarchs, along with other famous people, were buried. In going to the Abbey, the chums are in search of the historic throne on which most of the kings of England, including the late monarch Queen Elizabeth II, were crowned. All of this takes place in conjunction with light-hearted mischief by the Ring-a-Right with the help of Bear.

The book begins with the chums flying over and looking down on the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the river Thames. In their excitement, Chicky Cheruba exclaims that he wants to learn about all the history, but Bear appears to be most interested in all the mystery. The chums first head to the Tower of London where they spot some raven and Beefeaters in their special uniforms, and they are struck by the size and coldness of the Tower. As they tour the Tower, they see paintings of King Henry VIII and his six wives, and contemplate that he must have been "quite a hubby". Ring begins investigating the Tower and spots a ghost in a fireplace, which initially frightens him, but then causes him to spin as he often does when excited. Up some stairs he spins into the Kings' armory, where historic armor and weapons are on display. Here he finds a suit of armor of young King Henry VIII, which he promptly puts on. It fits him to a "T". He clomps around in this metal attire until he finds the Crown Jewels. The guards, who are in dismay, think they hear a ghost. Ring then finds a scepter and puts one of the crowns on his head. Next he looks around for a horse, but because there are no horses, he recruits Bear and climbs onto his back. He then decides that he needs a proper throne, so off to Westminster Abbey they go, creating quite a sight.

At Westminster Abbey they search for and find the historic, gold throne upon which Ring climbs and happily smiles down on Bear. Along come the chicks and some Bobbies, who are British policemen and determined to stop Ring's shenanigans. But up Ring jumps, realizing there is no place to hide. He grabs a pretty, ruffled doily which he wraps around his neck as he goes into another spin. The Abbey's curator steps too close and gets sucked into Ring's cloud, and together they whirl until the curator flies out. Then Ring bangs his head and begins to pout. In the meantime, a large crowd has gathered and everyone stares down at Ring who looks very silly in his lace doily and lopsided crown. Ring looks up at his friends and says, "It's now time to go mates, let some more fun begin!" So off in a plane the chums fly over the London Eye (large observation wheel), the river Thames and Parliament on their way to their next international adventure.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0C2RJT8XQ
• ISBN13: 9798391731382
• Release Date: April 2023
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 38 Pages
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.0" x 10.0"